2002 Dodge Intrepid SE from North America - Comments

The 2.7L engine blew up at 35,000 miles due to sludge. I believe it was due to coolant entering the engine creating sludge. I was told by the dealer that it was my fault, although I changed the oil every 3,000 miles with Mobil1. I had to pay $7500 to replace this engine.

I was shocked to find many others also being blamed and having the same problems. There are complaints all over the internet and many NHTSA complaints about this engine. I was even more shocked and amazed when I found websites about the problem like http://www.dontbuyone.org and http://www.dodgechryslerengineproblems.com.

Steering began clunking at about seven thousand miles where it would also wander, which I found is fairly common due to suspension design. This also makes me angry. There is even a website I found about that to to my complete amazement, which is http://www.dodgechryslersteeringproblems.com

I thought I've driven junk in my life, but never experienced anything like this with a well kept car with any other.

The only thing I can really compliment Chrysler on is the interior roominess, design and looks of the vehicle, which are all top notch.

If this vehicle didn't have such a problematic 2.7L engine and steering/suspension, it would have and could have been absolutely perfect. It's too bad.

Your engine blew because of poor oil circulation. Let me explain. The engine was designed on a computer CAD and was sold to Daimler Chrysler. There is poor oil circulation to the top of the engine, which causes it to run hotter and breaks the oil down faster, creating sludge.

Look under the oil cap - if you see sludge then chances are it's in the engine. The more sludge, the less oil can move, causing parts to wear out faster.

I read about this on another web site with 1,768 complaints on the 2.7 engines in the Intrepids. And almost all were due to sludge.

I have talked with 2 mechanics who own Intrepids and they said to switch to a full synthetic oil because it doesn't have oil elements in it, and that's what breaks down is the oil elements. Also change the transmission fluid regularly.

I to have had the same problems with the 2002 Dodge Intrepid SE that I owned in 2006. I had my Intrepid for 2 and half years and the engine just started losing power on me. Basically I needed a new motor. I called around to salvage yards and they stated that a used engine at that time would cost me roughly around $3000 to $4000.

A new engine would cost me roughly around $6000 to $8000, and I still owed $9000 on my Intrepid. I ended up calling the company that I had my Intrepid financed with and asked them if I could refinance my car so I could get the extra money to fix the engine, and they stated to me that they do not refinance.

I tried for months to find a cheap motor, but couldn't. I tried to trade my car to the dealership that I brought it from, but they wouldn't take it because of how rough it was running. I ended up calling the finance company back and telling them to come and pick up the Intrepid and why.

The finance company took six months after they realize that I was serious about not paying for a car I could not drive due to the motor going out on me, and it was not my fault, before they repossessed my car, and they are still hounding me about paying for this car.

Please add me on the list also.

You can contact me at countygurl@hotmail.com

Thank You.

Sabrina.